In this episode of "Motherhood Unveiled," host Ashley welcomes Quinn Simpson, mom to two boys, coach, and co-founder of Graydon and the Gedi Village Foundation. Quinn shares her candid journey through motherhood, discussing her evolving identity, the influence of her maternal lineage, and challenges with invisible conditions like PMDD and postpartum depression. She reflects on the unique needs of her two sons, the importance of adapting parenting styles, and the value of self-reflection. Together, Ashley and Quinn explore how authentic connection, curiosity, and embracing our own unique journeys shape the motherhood experience.

Meet Quinn

Quinn is the type of mother her sons, Theo (6) and Bowie (3), know they can rely on. She is steady as a rock and deeply connected. Quinn listens deeply and leads with warmth, creating a home where her boys feel loved for exactly who they are. As a professional, Quinn brings the same steadiness and deep presence she offers her sons. With 18 years of experience in coaching, she has dedicated her career to helping teachers, parents and young people thrive. Her work, from leading Graydin to founding Gedi Village Foundation, is fueled by the same belief she holds at home: that every child deserves to feel empowered. Living in Toronto with her boys, she models daily that coaching skills aren’t just tools for school; they’re tools for life.

Timestamps

Guest Introduction & Episode Overview (00:00:32)

Quinn’s Self-Introduction & Identity as Mom (00:01:34)

Motherhood & Personal Identity (00:03:24)

Maternal Lineage & Influence (00:04:35)

Pregnancy Discovery & Early Motherhood (00:08:13)

PMDD and Pregnancy Experience (00:10:51)

Birth Trauma & Colic (00:11:54)

Reflections on Change & Resilience (00:13:07)

Coping with Postpartum & Seeking Help (00:18:14)

Choosing to Have a Second Child (00:21:24)

Parenting Two Opposite Children (00:24:29)

Parenting Styles & Respecting Individuality (00:30:54)

Coaching Skills in Parenting (00:32:25)

Big Topics Recap & PMDD Focus (00:33:28)

Living with PMDD (00:35:11)

Motherhood’s Gold & Joys (00:42:02)

The Unfolding Process of Motherhood (00:46:45)

Debunking Motherhood Myths (00:50:19)

Closing Reflections & Empowerment (00:53:08)

Episode Outro (00:54:15)

Links & Mentions

1. Graydin Coaching
2. Gedi Village Foundation
3. PMDD: What is it?
4. Bloomwell Therapy: Online Therapy for Women’s Mental Health & Reproductive Mental Health Across Ontario

Work with Ashley

Connect with Ashley on IG (@ashleybcoach) or LinkedIn

www.ashleybeatty.ca

Cover Art: Abigail Murphy Photography

In this episode of Motherhood Unveiled, host Ashley speaks with Alanna Crawford, an osteopathic practitioner and mother of a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. Alanna shares her journey of unlearning societal expectations around child development, navigating her daughter's challenging sleep patterns, and managing endometriosis while facing fertility struggles. She discusses balancing her professional identity with motherhood, the importance of integrating science and spirituality in healing, and finding support through acupuncture, Reiki, and couples counselling. Alanna emphasizes that motherhood is a day-by-day process, encouraging women to trust themselves and release unrealistic expectations.

Meet Alanna

Alanna Crawford is an osteopathic practitioner and the founder of The Summit Collective, where she combines osteopathy, energy work, and nervous system education to support whole-person healing. Her work bridges science and spirituality, helping people understand how physical symptoms, emotional experiences, and energetic patterns interact within the body. Through her clinic, workshops, and content, she empowers people to reconnect with their intuition and take an active role in their healing journey.

Timestamps

Introduction to Alanna Crawford (00:00:33)

Alanna's Identity as a Mother and Practitioner (00:02:32)

Entering Motherhood Through the Physical (00:03:42)

Unlearning Motherhood Expectations (00:05:36)

The Grief of Unmet Expectations (00:08:43)

Navigating Fertility and Endometriosis (00:10:53)

Finding Hope in Spirituality and Reiki (00:16:04)

The Complexity of Secondary Infertility (00:21:10)

Channeling Creative Energy (00:26:09)

The Myth of the "Right Time" (00:28:59)

Motherhood and Finding Your Voice (00:30:21)

Parenting in the Digital Age (00:35:54

Defining the Modern Village (00:38:07)

It's Okay to Not Like Your Kid (00:43:32)

The Myth of Instant Maternal Instinct (00:46:08)

Sharing the Load in Partnership (00:49:22)

Show Notes & Links:

- Connect with Alanna @alannacrawford_

i) Summit Collective

ii) Listen to Alanna’s Podcast: The Summit Effect

- Endometriosis/PCOS resources:

1. Dr. Aviva Romm: podcast and book “Hormone Intelligence”
2. SHEMD Podcast with Dr. Thais Aliabadi & women’s advocate Mary Alice Haney
3. The Period Lab on IG: @theperiodlab

Work with Ashley

Connect with Ashley on IG (@ashleybcoach) or LinkedIn

www.ashleybeatty.ca

Cover Art: Abigail Murphy Photography

In this episode of "Motherhood Unveiled," host Ashley interviews Tiffany Wong-Mak, founder of Maylay Co., a BIPOC and woman-owned stationery company. Tiffany shares how motherhood and entrepreneurship intertwine in her life, inspiring her to create products focused on gratitude and intentional living. She discusses the challenges and joys of raising her four-year-old daughter, the importance of self-care and community, and how her business and personal values align. The conversation highlights resilience, reflection, and the evolving nature of motherhood, offering inspiration and practical insights for moms balancing family and career.

Meet Tiffany

Tiffany is a mom, wife + business owner living in Toronto. She has 4 year old daughter with big personality and curiosity. Building her business has been a big focus for her, especially in the last year. She was raised in a family of entrepreneurs and it is really interesting to see how her daughter plays a role in her business life now too. She loves anything creative, exploring new things, and more recently just connecting with fellow entrepreneurs and mothers who understand a lot of what she is going through.

Timestamps

Introducing Tiffany Wong Mak (00:00:34)

Tiffany’s Background and Creativity (00:02:00)

Motherhood and Family Context (00:04:20)

Starting the Journey to Motherhood (00:05:51)

Timing and Life Decisions (00:07:18)

The Impact of COVID and Kobe Bryant’s Story (00:09:34)

Motherhood Journey and Self-Discovery (00:12:13)

Self-Care Practices (00:14:04)

Building and Using Community (00:15:49)

Identity and Motherhood (00:18:18)

Sharing Highs and Lows (00:19:30)

Celebrating Motherhood Wins (00:20:33)

Family Traditions and Reflection (00:22:32)

Tiffany’s Business and Its Mission (00:23:40)

Motherhood Inspiring Business (00:26:12)

Parallels Between Entrepreneurship and Motherhood (00:28:39)

Learning and Community in Business (00:30:26)

Balancing Business and Family (00:31:49)

Intentionality and Purpose (00:33:17)

Myth-Busting: Life After Motherhood (00:38:41)

Episode Wrap-Up and Gratitude (00:40:01)

Links & Mentions

1. Maylay Co.
2. Connect with Tiffany on IG @maylay.co

Work with Ashley

Connect with Ashley on IG (@ashleybcoach) or LinkedIn

www.ashleybeatty.ca

Cover Art: Abigail Murphy Photography